Can You Book a Rental Car for Someone Else? (U.S. Guide)

In most cases no, you cannot simply book a rental car under your name and have someone else pick it up and drive it without that person being properly listed.
However, you can pay for the rental, or you can add the other person as an authorized additional driver if you follow the company’s rules. Below is a full, U.S.-focused guide on how to do it properly, what the restrictions are, and how to stay safe (and legal).

Why many rental companies make reservations only in the driver’s name

When you rent a car in the U.S., the rental company wants to know exactly who is driving, that they meet the age and license requirements, and that payment and insurance are covered. There are three big reasons for this:

1. Legal responsibility

The rental company needs to have a binding contract with the person who will drive the vehicle. If you book it but someone else drives, the rental company may not have the legal relationship with that driver, making things risky if there’s damage, theft or an accident.

2. Insurance and coverage

When a driver is not listed in the rental agreement (or not approved), insurance coverage (whether the rental company’s or your personal/credit-card coverage) may be void. For example, if an unauthorized person drives and crashes, the insurance may deny the claim. 

3. Payment card and identity verification

Most rental companies require the primary driver (and payment card holder) to be present at pickup, present a valid driver’s license, and sign the agreement. If you book for someone else but you’re not going to be the driver, this may create issues at the counter.

Before booking, it’s worth understanding how car rental policies vary — for instance, whether you can take a rental car out of state or add someone else as a driver

What you can do when renting a car for someone else

While you can’t bypass the contract rules, here are legitimate ways to accommodate someone else driving.

You pay – they drive (as primary)

You make the reservation in their name, you pay (if the company allows), but the driver must be the one present at pickup, with their license, and must sign. The driver’s name must be on the contract.

You book in your name, add them as an authorized additional driver

If you will technically be the renter, but someone else will drive, you can list them as an “additional driver” on the rental agreement. They must meet the same age/license requirements and be present when added. They’re then allowed to drive under the agreement.

For example: Avis lets you add additional drivers at ~$13 per day in many U.S. states.
Enterprise notes a standard additional driver fee of about $15 per day (unless waived under certain conditions). 

Use a business/corporate account

If the renter is a business and the employee will drive, many rental companies have corporate contracts that streamline this process (billing the company, letting an employee drive). Under those setups the company is the renter and the driver is authorized.

Use rental gift cards or third-party payment (with caution)

If you literally cannot be the driver but wish to pay, you might purchase a gift card or pay for the rental yourself  but the driver still must meet the company’s “primary driver signs” requirement.
You’re basically paying on behalf of someone else, not circumventing the need for their identity and signature.

How to add an additional driver (step-by-step)

• At reservation time (online or phone), indicate you may want to add an additional driver.

• At pickup: Both the primary renter and the additional driver must present valid driver’s license(s).

• Additional driver signs the rental agreement (or the company notes their name/licence on the contract).

• Payment method (card) is verified under the primary renter’s name (in many cases).

• Fee assessed (if applicable) — the cost is typically “per additional driver, per day” until the driver is removed. Example: Avis ~$13/day.
  
• Both drivers adhere to age, license, and any location/usage restrictions.

Most companies require the main driver to be present, but there are ways around this, such as adding an additional driver without paying high fees or using certain loyalty programs.

Important: If you try to let someone else drive who isn’t listed, the rental company can void the contract or insurance coverage. 

Comparison: Major U.S. rental companies — additional driver fees & exceptions

Takeaway: Always check at the specific location you’ll rent from. Fees and fee-waiver policies vary by state, city and rental station.

Who can drive the rental car? Requirements you must meet

• Primary renter: must meet the company’s minimum age (often 21–25 depending on state & vehicle class), hold a valid U.S. driver’s license (or acceptable foreign license in some cases), and have a valid payment card.

• Additional driver: in most cases must meet the same age/license requirements. In many U.S. states, additional drivers must also be present at pickup.

• Insurance/coverage: All listed drivers are covered by the terms of the contract. Unlisted drivers are not—and risk voiding coverage.

• Spouse or domestic partner: Many companies waive the additional driver fee if the second driver is a spouse or domestic partner, but confirm with the specific location.
  

Renting a car for someone else — what you need to check

• Who will drive? Make sure the driver is listed and present at pickup.

• Who pays? If you pay, ensure the rental company accepts a card in your name with someone else driving.

• Additional driver fee? Ask what it will be, and whether the driver qualifies for an exception (spouse, corporate).

• Insurance/coverage check: Confirm that the contract covers the listed driver(s), and know what happens if someone not listed drives.

• All paperwork: Driver’s license, payment card, reservation number, proof of insurance (if relying on personal policy).

• Pickup & return: The driver or authorized person must collect and return the vehicle; be clear who will handle drop-off, fuel, etc.
  

Tips & tricks to save and stay covered

1. Ask for fee waivers: If the additional driver is your spouse, domestic partner or fellow employee under a corporate contract, ask if the driver fee is waived.

2. Join loyalty programs: Some rental companies waive driver fees for members or elite status.

3. Pay attention to age/vehicle class restrictions: If your additional driver is under 25, expect higher fees or certain vehicles may not qualify.

4. Make sure everyone is listed: Never allow someone to drive without being added — the cost if something happens could be far higher than the “extra driver” fee.

5. Read the contract: At pickup, ask for clarification of additional driver rules and hidden fees for your state/location.

6. Keep documentation: Print or save the reservation confirmation, the contract, and keep records of who is allowed to drive.
   
   
7. Check your insurance/credit-card coverage: If you’re relying on your personal auto insurance or credit-card rental insurance, verify they don’t have exclusions if someone else drives who isn’t listed.

If you rent cars often, you’ll also want to understand what happens if a rental car gets stolen and how to file a claim efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I book a rental car for someone else entirely ?
  In general, no. The driver must be the person who signs the agreement, meets the age/license criteria and is listed. If you book in your name but someone else drives without being listed, you risk voiding the contract or insurance.

Q: Can the payment card be in my name while someone else drives?
  Sometimes yes  paying in your name is acceptable if the driver is properly listed and meets the criteria. But many locations still require the cardholder to be present or at least the card to be in the driver’s name. Always check with the rental location.

Q: Is there always a fee for an additional driver?
Not always. It depends on the rental company, state law and whether the driver is exempt (for example spouse/domestic partner, employee under corporate account). Typical U.S. fees range ~$13–15/day. 

Q: What happens if an unauthorized driver gets in the car and has an accident?
Major risk: the rental company may void the agreement, insurance might deny claims, you may be personally liable for damages and legal costs. 

Q: Can I add an additional driver in the middle of the rental?
Yes many rental companies allow adding a driver mid-contract, but usually both renter and new driver must show up at a rental location to complete the paperwork.

Q: Do age and driver-experience rules differ for additional drivers?
Often yes. While the minimum age may be 21 for rental, many companies require additional drivers to be 25 or have held a license for a certain length of time. Younger drivers often incur surcharges or restrictions.

Final thoughts

If you’re planning to rent a car for someone else  or pay for someone else’s rental take a few minutes to check the rental company’s specific policy, state laws, and ensure the driver is properly authorized.

The extra driver fee might seem small in the moment, but the risk of someone driving without being listed is far higher: voided insurance, denied claims, hefty liability. On the flip side, when done correctly, you get peace of mind, flexibility, and smoother travel.

Treat the process like a mini-contract: outline who is paying, who is driving, who’s listed, what the fees are, and keep all documentation. When you do, you’ll be ready for whatever the road brings  without unexpected fees or liability surprises.